Iris App Review: Discover Love Online Assisted by AI

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The Iris dating app is notable for its AI-assisted sign-up process and the use of AI in its matching algorithm. The more feedback members can give the app on their attraction preferences, the better the system knows which singles to recommend on the daily match feed. Based on this sophisticated system, Iris champions better matching and overall compatibility for its users.

Becoming a free member of the Iris dating app allows newcomers to register a new account, create a free profile, get AI-generated matches, and “level up” to improve their match results. Sign up for a free account in around ten to fifteen minutes.

But is Iris different enough from other dating apps to warrant a free member sign-up from you? Our Iris review will go over all the critical information you need to know before joining, including free and premium features, membership plans, the overall sign-up process, and how we rated the Iris dating app following our review and appraisal.

Iris Dating Homepage Screenshot
Sign-Up Time:10-15 minutes
Cost:$4.99 – $24.99 per month
Membership Pool:2 million (5,000 active each week)


Our Iris Rating

Rating Icon

Overall Rating 3.6 Rating Stars

Iris is coming in with an overall score of 3.6 out of 5!

A significant piece of our Iris review is running the app through our honest rating system to determine an overall score for the service. Iris fared well in our book, at 3.6 out of 5 stars. Many of the rating categories got a middle-of-the-road score. There were only some categories where the app performed exceptionally well, save the safety and security factors.

Because the Iris dating app is rated relatively high for us, it’s a service we’d recommend to anyone who wants to find a meaningful relationship with someone they’re deeply attracted to, both physically and compatibility-wise. Iris has some downsides, which we’ll address in the key takeaways below, along with the app’s strengths.

Usability Icon

Ease of Use 3.8 Rating Stars

We didn’t have any issues with figuring out how to use Iris. The app has an intuitive design that allows you to keep engaged in forming new connections and “leveling up” your matches without wasting a lot of time learning how to use and navigate the app.

features graphic

Features 3.3 Rating Stars

Iris has many standard dating app features on other platforms, including rewinds on swipes, unlocking messaging, seeing who viewed your profile, and many others. The only thing we’re not too crazy about is that the features are stratified into tiers, so you must pay extra money if you want to run the gamut on the Iris dating app.

Cost Icon

Cost
3.8 Rating Stars

For what you get as a premium member of Tawkify, this matchmaking service has one of the most reasonably priced memberships in the online dating market. For one year, members only pay $99.00 ($8.25 per month), and you have access to a personal matchmaker who does all the work for you, including setting up dates and providing you with good leads for quality dating or relationships.

Match Icon

Match Quality
3.6 Rating Stars

Iris claims to have two million legitimate members, which we don’t doubt for a minute. But it doesn’t mean that all two million are active on the app each week. We discovered that there are only 5,000 members who are dedicated Iris users. And only 10,000 hails from the US. The matching experience produced quality match suggestions, but many were located far from the search radius point we set. If more people were using Iris, we would have gotten more match results in our local or regional area.

Safety and Security Icon

Safety and Security
4.4 Rating Stars

This is the best part of the Iris dating app because it makes sure all new members are legit by using a selfie verification system. This helps to cut down on fake or illegitimate profiles and increases the overall quality of Iris’ dating pool.

Customer Service Icon

Customer Service
2.8 Rating Stars

We like that the Iris dating app has customer service options beyond a simple troubleshooting FAQ page. You can reach the support team through email as a free or Gold member. And there are methods for contacting customer service in other ways as a Platinum member, probably by phone or live chat.

Overview of Iris

The Iris dating app uses AI to generate quality matches for its members. And free or premium users can improve their matching experience by rating profiles based on appearance by selecting “yes,” “no,” or “maybe.” Iris comes at a decent price for first-time members for such an advanced dating service.

Iris Fast Facts

  • Year Founded: 2019
  • Matchmaking Process: AI matching system based on rating member profiles by attraction
  • Average User Age: 32-39 years
  • Gender Ratio: 60% men to 40% women

Although there are 2 million registered members at Iris, there are only 5,000 members who actively use the service each week. It’s relatively evenly split between men and women, catering primarily to singles in their 30s. Most people at Iris want to find meaningful relationships and commitments characterized by a compatible connection.

Iris Cost and Premium Memberships

Iris is a dating app with six membership plans but divides things into two tiers, with the highest level (Platinum) having the lion’s share of the perks and benefits. The lower Gold tier is decent but has more restricted features for paying customers. Check out a complete breakdown of membership prices and features below:

Gold Plans

PlansPrice Per MonthTotal Cost

1-Month Membership

$9.99

$9.99

3-Month Membership

$7.32

$21.99

6-Month Membership

$4.99

$29.99

Gold Features

  • Super search activation
  • Unlock all Iris picks
  • Discover 2x more profiles
  • See who likes you
  • Rewind to the previous profile

Platinum Plans

PlansPrice Per MonthTotal Cost

1-Month Membership

$24.99

$24.99

3-Month Membership

$18.33

$54.99

6-Month Membership

$11.99

$71.94

Platinum Features

  • All the Gold Features
  • In-depth profile analysis
  • VIP badge
  • Match Guarantee
  • Send visible Likes
  • Boosted profile display
  • Message before matching
  • Priority support response
  • Invitations to Iris Events

There are several things you should keep in mind about the Iris premium membership plans before you go ahead with your purchase:

  • There are no monthly payments or installment plans available to help you pay for the cost of membership.
  • Gold and Premium subscriptions won’t automatically renew once they come to the end of the billing cycle. You must manually repurchase a new plan.
  • Customers can save money over time by committing to longer subscription plans. The longer plans come with a reduced monthly cost rate.

Iris Free Trial and Special Features

All new members of Iris signing up for a new account will begin in free membership mode with the option to upgrade to one of three Gold or Platinum subscription plans. The free membership comes with several complimentary features, but there are many worthwhile features you miss out on by not upgrading to premium.

Free Features

  • Register an account
  • Create a profile
  • Upload photos
  • Get daily match suggestions.
  • “Like” or “Skip” on matches.
  • View photos
  • Search profiles
  • “Level up” to get better match suggestions

The best thing about Iris’ free membership plan is testing the app without paying any money. It’s ideal for finding out if Iris will be a good fit for finding the online matches you want to meet. You can get your information out onto the app, educate Iris on your dating/relationship preferences, view match suggestions, and browse those profiles to see who’s using the Iris dating app to find love.

Premium Membership Features

The Iris membership plans are divided into two tiers: Gold and Platinum. The first five features we cover in the list below belong to the Gold Tier only, but the entire list of features applies to the whole Platinum Tier. If you’re a Platinum member, you can enjoy every feature Iris offers, while Gold members will be far more limited in what they can do on the app.

  • Super Search Activation
    Paying members can say goodbye to endless swiping by getting personalized daily matches from a list of 100,000 most recently active users. It’s called Super Search, and it’s designed to generate promising leads for newer Iris members.
  • Unlock All Iris Picks
    Free members can only see a handful of Iris picks using their free membership, but an upgrade to the Gold or Platinum Tier allows you to see the entire list of curated selections based on your attraction preferences.
  • Discover 2x More Profiles
    Becoming a paid subscriber allows you to see more profiles on the Iris dating app than you could as a non-paying user.
  • See Who Likes You
    Discover who viewed and liked your profile to give you the power to establish a mutual match quickly. And when you match, you can unlock the ability to message that member.
  • Rewind to the Previous Profile
    For those who either “liked” a profile when they meant to “pass” or “passed” a profile when they meant to “like,” they can go back and fix their mistake via unlimited rewinds.
  • In-Depth Profile Analysis
    This is the first feature that comes only with the Platinum Tier membership. Members paying for the priciest membership plan will get a report from Iris on all their match suggestions and a detailed breakdown of why they’re compatible.
  • VIP Badge
    Platinum members have a VIP badge on their profile to alert other members that they’re a part of the highest membership tier. It’s a way of drawing attention to your profile and letting other members know you can send messages without matching and attending Iris Events.
  • Match Guarantee
    If you cannot find a match through Super Search within the first two months of using Iris, the dating app will extend your membership to a full year for free.
  • Send Visible Likes
    For any member you like using the Iris dating app, they’ll ensure your profile is visible to that member. It boosts your chances of establishing a mutual match.
  • Boosted Profile Display
    Your profile gets featured more extensively in other members’ searches and more frequently overall in the app’s search results, increasing your chances of matching with people you don’t typically run across each day while swiping.
  • Message Before Matching
    Platinum members don’t rely on mutual matching to unlock messaging with the singles they meet. They can message whomever they want, whenever they want.
  • Priority Support Response
    High-paying members get access to the best customer service from the Iris dating app.

Iris Flower Bundles

Let’s talk about “irises” now. These are the equivalent of “superlikes” or virtual rose bouquets you’d find on other online dating apps. You can send them to members you’re interested in more than others. But they come at a price not covered under your Gold or Platinum membership plan.

FlowersCost per FlowerTotal Cost

3 Iris Flowers

$0.99

$2.99

12 Iris Flowers

$0.74

$8.99

50 Iris Flowers

$0.49

$24.99

Free members get one free “iris” when they first sign up for a free membership plan. But members must purchase iris packages to send more to matches they want to make a good impression with. They come in bundles of three, twelve, and fifty. The cost per flower goes down as the bundle size increases

Do Iris Memberships Renew Automatically?

Surprisingly, the Iris dating app doesn’t have the automatic renewal feature on its premium membership plans. Your subscription ends, as do the premium features. If you want to continue using the service, you must go back in and manually repurchase a new subscription plan to continue enjoying Iris’ perks and features.

Should You Join Iris?

Is Iris a worthwhile dating app? Discover if this AI-assisted dating app is viable to help you find love or romance with someone special. Read up on the best reasons to join or not join the Iris dating app below to see if it’s a worthwhile option.

Reasons to Join

two people smiling at each other

AI-Curated Matches Based on Preferences

Iris is great for finding ideal matches because members can train the app’s AI system to generate eligible singles based on what they prefer in terms of looks and appearance. If there was ever a dating app to use where you can discover the perfect man or woman who fits your appearance criteria, the Iris dating app is one of the best platforms out there to be using.

Meaningful Dating and Relationships

Iris is best for singles who want to find serious relationships and long-term dating experiences. Compatibility plays a crucial role in the overall matchmaking scheme found at Iris, so the app is conducive to relationships and dating that are much more intentional and meaningful.

Good for Dating 30-Year-Olds

Most members of Iris are in their 30s, making this a good dating app for anyone in their fourth decade of life or interested in dating someone who falls within the age range of 32 to 39 years. Those wanting to date 20-somethings, middle-aged singles, or seniors should use a different dating app.

Reasons Not to Join

A Lot of Extra Fees

One of the worst aspects of Iris is that there are two membership tiers, forcing you to pay extra money for the better perks and benefits of the app. If you want to send Iris Flowers to your favorite matches, you must also pay an additional fee for these. You end up paying a lot of extra money for features and benefits that many other dating apps offer for one flat membership rate.

Longer Sign-Up Process

To train Iris’ AI system to find ideal match suggestions, you must rate stock photos of men or women who appeal to you attraction-wise. The sign-up process takes a bit longer than it would with other modern dating apps. Onboarding as a new member could take ten to fifteen minutes to complete, perhaps a bit longer if you upgrade to premium and input your payment information.

You’re Interested in Casual Dating or Romance

People using Iris are typically in their 30s and want to find meaningful dating experiences or a relationship rooted in compatibility. Consider looking into another dating app if your goal is to find flings, hookups, or casual romances.

The Dating Pool Is Limited

With only 5,000 dedicated members, the matching at Iris is limited. You’ll get some suitable, compatible matches, but many might not be close to home. You might be better off using a more serious-minded dating app with a dating pool of at least 100,000 to generate a decent variety of match results in your local area.

The Sign-up Process

We took time to register as a free member of the Iris dating app to discover how long the sign-up process takes. Part of becoming a new member involves training the AI system to pinpoint singles who adhere to your appearance standards, so the overall sign-up time could take anywhere from ten to fifteen minutes to complete.

Follow the steps below to get started as a free member of the Iris dating app:

Iris - Step 1

Step 1: Download the Iris App

The first step is downloading the Iris dating app from Google Play or the App Store. Once you’ve opened the app on your mobile device, tap “Get Started” to begin the registration process.

Iris - Step 2

Step 2: Add Your Phone Number

This next step is verification for safety purposes. You must submit your phone number to Iris, and you’ll be sent a security code, which must be sent back to the app.

Iris - Step 3

Step 3: Enter Basic Information

We combined several steps into our third step to keep things simple and digestible.

  • Date of Birth – To ensure you’re old enough to use the Iris dating app, enter your date of birth. As long as you were born before the date posted on the screen, you’re good to go!
  • Username – Next, enter your name. This will be used as your official username on Iris.
  • Gender – Include your gender and the gender of the singles you’re hoping to meet and connect with on the Iris dating app.
  • Age Range – Use the toggle slider to set up your age range preference. This helps Iris find match suggestions that fall within the age range you’re interested in dating or romancing.
Iris - Step 4

Step 4: Upload a Profile Photo (And Selfie Verification)

The next step involved uploading a profile photo. Tap “Upload from Gallery” to post directly from your device’s files. Verify your identity by taking a selfie that matches the image you posted. Tap on “Verify Identity” to complete this step.

This part of the sign-up process has made Iris one of the most legitimate userbases in the online dating market. While many dating apps make this an optional choice for new members, it’s a necessary step for anyone looking to join the app as a free or paying member.

Iris - Step 5

Step 5: Begin “Leveling Up”

To train the Iris AI matching system correctly, you must look through a ton of stock photos to give the app a rough idea of your ideal match.

There are three options: pass, maybe, and like. Iris will begin learning your dating and relationship preferences based on what you’re generally into regarding looks and appearance.

Iris - Step 6

Step 6: Complete the Self-Authored Bio Section

If you want to, you can skip this step, but we recommend describing yourself or your dating goals in more detail to give other Iris members a clear vision of what you’re looking for.

Iris - Step 7

Step 7: Browse Matches and Continue “Leveling Up”

As a free member, you can view the matches Iris generated based on the “leveling up” you completed during registration. You can improve your matches by reviewing more stock image profiles and continuing to “level up” your experience. The more Iris learns of your preferences, the better the matches they can deliver.

Iris - Step 8

Step 8: Upgrade to Premium

All you do as a free member of Iris is get match suggestions and view profiles. There’s free messaging, too, but it’s not enough to establish meaningful connections or lay the significant groundwork with your matches.

Tap on “Try Super Search” to access a list of membership plans and features. Choose a subscription that best suits your needs, enter payment information, and begin experiencing Iris as a full-fledged paid subscriber.

Alternatives to Iris

While Iris harnesses the power of AI to generate excellent matches based on attraction, the overall dating pool is paltry compared to the market’s more well-known dating apps. If you’re still sold on AI dating apps, check out our other AI dating app recommendations here. If you’re not sold on AI, here are our favorite alternative platforms to find meaningful connections based on compatibility. Do so using services that have hundreds of thousands or millions of dedicated members to find singles in your local area.

Dating App Key Facts Review
eharmony logo eharmony
  • Active Members: 16+ million
  • Gender Ratio: 48% men to 52% women
  • Best For: Find singles who desire serious relationships and profound connections
  • Pricing: Begins at $35.90/month
Elite Singles Logo Elite Singles
  • Active Members: 2+ million
  • Gender Ratio: 44% men to 56% women
  • Best For: Finding highly educated and successful singles
  • Pricing: Begins at $31.95/month
zoosk logo Zoosk
  • Active Members: 40+ million
  • Gender Ratio: 47% men to 53% women
  • Best For: Flirting, finding love, and getting dates with singles
  • Pricing: Begins at $10.00/month
Christian Mingle Logo Christian Mingle
  • Active Members: 16+ million
  • Gender Ratio: 44% men to 56% women
  • Best For: Finding singles who hold Christian values and want God-centered relationships
  • Pricing: Begins at $14.99/month
SilverSingles logo SilverSingles
  • Active Members: 800,000
  • Gender Ratio: 53% men to 47% women
  • Best For: Finding singles who are over 50 and looking for meaningful relationships
  • Pricing: Begins at $24.95/month

Become a free member of any of these great alternative dating apps. Enjoy several complimentary features like setting up search terms, browsing members’ profiles, and finding out if the app will fit your dating needs and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

To learn as much as possible about the Iris dating app, we included some of our readers most commonly asked questions about the platform in the FAQ section below. Find the answers you need fast to the most popular inquiries that the public has about Iris and what it offers its customers.

What Is Iris Dating App?

Designed in 2019, Iris is a dating app that uses AI to do its matchmaking magic. People joining the platform for the first time go through an extensive series of tests so the app knows what drives their personal attraction in terms of looks, personality, and other factors.

Is the Iris Dating App Free?

Registering as a new member, creating a profile, getting match suggestions courtesy of Iris, and “leveling up” by rating more profiles are free. The latter free feature helps Iris better determine quality matches for you in the future. You must upgrade to a premium membership plan to experience better features like better matching, profile boosts, or a VIP badge.

How Do Members Train Iris to Find Suitable Matches?

Iris members will be asked to “level up,” which is a process of rating stock photos so the app knows members’ preferences regarding looks and attraction. The more photo rating a customer can do, the better the match results they’ll experience daily.

How Much Does an Iris Membership Cost?

Iris extends six membership plans to its new members, three to each tier. For the Gold Plans, there’s a one-month plan for $9.99, a three-month plan for $21.99, and a six-month plan for $29.99. For the Platinum Plans, there’s a one-month plan for $24.99, a three-month plan for $54.99, and a six-month plan for $74.99.

Is Iris Worthwhile?

Iris is a dating app that’s completely worthwhile if you’re seeking a relationship where you experience excellent compatibility with someone you’re attracted to. Paying members (depending on the membership tier) can enjoy profile boosts, swipe through more profiles, and message members before they establish a mutual match. There’s even the Match Guarantee, where Iris will upgrade you to a year-long membership plan for free if you don’t match with anyone successfully in your first two months.

Can I Use Iris on My Computer?

There’s a website, but you can only use Iris if you download the mobile app from Google Play or the App Store. You can only use Iris on a smartphone or any other mobile device that allows you to download apps.

What Is “Leveling Up?”

Iris will have you rate more profiles to understand your ideal match better. The more chances you take to level up your profile, the better the match suggestions you’ll receive from the app.

How Old Are the People Using the Iris Dating App?

Singles using Iris are on the “older” side of the online dating world. Members are between 32 and 39 years of age, on average. These older singles are generally looking for a relationship marked by compatibility. But they also want to find someone they are deeply attracted to.

Is the Iris Dating App Legit?

Yes. Iris has a relatively strict vetting process, which has new customers go through a selfie verification checkpoint to ensure anyone onboarding is a legit member. The app also gives members options to report or block members who are acting fishy or harassing them.

How Long Does It Take to Sign Up?

The sign-up process on the Iris dating app takes longer than many other online dating services. It’s right around ten to fifteen minutes. Because the app uses AI to make match recommendations based on your personal dating criteria and what attracts you to certain people, there’s an extensive testing sequence that has you.

How Many Members Does Iris Have?

The app claims to have 2 million legit members, but there are only 10,000 from the United States and 5,000 active profiles each week. While there might be millions of verified users, there appear to be a lot of inactive accounts. The dating pool is much smaller than initially meets the eye.

How Can I Sort Out My Iris Match Recommendation?

Iris members can sort out their matches by distance so you can find matches near home. There are also methods for sorting matches based on recent app activity and how trusted they are on the app (Trust Ratings).

Will My Membership Automatically Renew?

Unlike a lot of dating apps, Iris doesn’t do continuous billing. When your membership plan comes to an end, your features discontinue. You must go back in and manually purchase a new membership plan to become a paid subscriber of the Iris dating app.